Stop devices for well conduits



Sept. 20, 1955 J. R. BER-RY ETAL STOP DEVICES FOR WELL CONDUITS FiledDec. 14, 1951 INVENTORS. foH/v B. BEQQK B RALPH M Isr,

ATTOENEYS United States Patent STOP DEVICES FOR WELL coNnUrrs John R.Berry, Huntington Park, and Ralph N. Fost, Norwalk, Califl, assignors toBaker Oil Tools, Inc., Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of CaliforniaApplication December 14, 1951, Serial No. 261,656

13 Claims. (Cl. 166243) The present invention relates to subsurface wellequipment, and more particularly to devices capable of being mounted onwell casing, liner, tubing, and similar conduit strings, for movingapparatus on said strings longitudinally through the well bore.

Apparatus, such as centralizers, wall scratchers and cement baskets aremounted on casing or similar conduit strings, being moved longitudinallythrough the well bore with the casing string because of their engagementwith one or more stop devices secured to the casing string.

An object of the present invention is to provide a comparatively simplestop device of the character indicated which is easily mounted upon andsecured to the conduit string.

Another object of the invention is to provide a stop device that isreadily and securely mountable on the conduit string without thenecessity for welding it to the latter.

A further object of the invention is to provide a stop device that canbe securely assembled to the conduit string and which tends to morefirmly tighten itself on the conduit string as a result of itsengagement with other apparatus disposed on the conduit string.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objectswhich may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of a formin which it may be embodied. This form is shown in the drawingsaccompanying and forming part of the present specification. It will nowbe described in detail, for the purpose of illustrating the generalprinciples of the invention; but it is to be understood that suchdetailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since thescope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the apparatus as mounted on a casingsection disposed in a well bore;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation, partly in longitudinal section, of the stopdevice illustrated in Fig. 1, disclosed in position on a casing section;

Fig. 3 is a cross-section taken along the line 33 on Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an isometric projection of the outer sectional lock ring orsleeve, with one portion thereof in open position.

The device A illustrative of the invention is shown in the drawings inconnection with a casing centralizer B mounted on a string of wellcasing C, or running-in string, positionable in a well bore D. It is tobe understood, however, that the device is also useful in otherrelationships, being adapted for engagement with wall scratchers,cementing baskets, and other apparatus, mounted on a casing, or similarconduit, string, and to be moved longitudinally through the well borewith such conduit string, as Well as being supported on the latter.

As shown in the drawings, a casing centralizer B is mounted on a casingsecton C disposed in a well bore D. The centralizer includes upper andlower longitudinally spaced collars 10, 11 slidable on the casingsection C, which are interconnected by circumferentia'lly spacedoutwardly bowed leaf spring members 12 attached to the upper and lowercollars in any suitable manner, as by use of welding material 13. Thesprings 12 engage the wall of the well bore D, and tend to center thewell casing C therewithin.

The centralizer or centering apparatus B is movable longitudinallythrough the well bore D upon longitudinal movement of the casing C.Thus, a stop device A is secured to the casing section between the upperand lower casing collars 10, 11, this stop device being engageable withthe inner edges 14 of the collars to pull the centralizer apparatus Bthrough the well bore. Thus, the stop device A will engage the upperedge 14 of the lower collar 11 when the casing C is moving downwardly inthe well bore, to pull the apparatus B and its outwardly bowed springs12 through the well bore and past any restrictions that might beencountered therein. If the casing string is moved in an upwarddirection, the stop device A will engage the lower edge 14 of the uppercollar 10 and pull the centering device B in an upward direction withthe casing string.

The stop device A is easily mounted upon the casing section C betweenthe centralizer collars 10, 11. Thus, the device includes an outersectional or split lock ring .or sleeve 15, which, as disclosed in thedrawings, consists of two parts 16, 17 that can be moved transversely ofthe casing C toward each other. One end or section 16 of the ring 15 hasone or more tongues or dovetails 18 adapted to be received in one ormore companion sockets 19 in the adjoining end of the other sleevesection 17. As illustrated, a pair of longitudinally separated tongues18 on one section 16 are receivable Within a pair of longitudinallyseparated companion sockets 19 in an adjacent section 17, the tonguesand sockets forming a dovetailed type of of joint in which theoppositely directed wing portions 20, 20 of each tongue 18 provide hooksengageable with companion hooks 21, 21 defining the outer portion ofeach socket 19. The shank .22 of each tongue is receivable within a slotor groove 23 in the adjoining section extending from the socket 19 tothe longitudinal edge 24 of the section.

The segmental ring 15, which is illustrated as being formed of two likesections 16, 17, is disposed transversely of the casing section Cbetween the centralizer collars 10, 11, and the tongues 18 on onesection 16 or 17 disposed in the adjoining slots 23 and sockets 19 ofthe other section 17 or 16, thus latching or locking the sections 16, 17together to form a circumferentially continuous sleeve or ring 15. Thissleeve or ring has an inside diameter that is greater than the outsidediameter of the casing section C, to provide an annular clearance space25 therebetween in which a pair of opposed segmental gripping elements26, 27 may be disposed. An upper segmental annular gripping element 26is composed of a pair or a plurality of slips having inwardly directedwickers or teeth 28 adapted to dig into or grip the casing section. Theperiphery 29 of the slips 26 is tapered in a downward and inwarddirection, this tapered surface cooperating with the upper edge 36 ofthe lock ring 15, to be wedged inwardly by the latter into firm grippingengagement with the casing section C. Similarly, the lower pair orplurality of segmental slips 27 have inner wickers or teeth 31 adaptedto grip the casing section and also a tapered peripheral surface 32which is inclined in an upward and inward direction for cooperation with.the lower edge 33 of the lock ring or sleeve 15, being urged inwardlyby the latter to place its wickers 31 in firm gripping engagement withthe casing section.

After the latch or lock ring sections 16, 17 have been disposed aroundthe casing C between the centralizer collars 10, 11, with the tongues 18of one section 16 or 17 disposed in the companion sockets 19 and slots23 of the other section 17 or 16, one set of slips, as the upper slips26, may be disposed around the casing and inserted within the lock ring15, being driven downwardly within the latter so that the slip segmentsare wedged against the casing section. The other set of slips, such asthe lower slips 27, is then disposed upon the casing section and movedupwardly into the annular space 25 between the lock ring 15 and thecasing C, being driven upwardly within the ring so that its taperedsurface 32 wedges the slip segments into firm gripping engagement withthe casing. The segments 26 of the upper slips have their upper edges 34in alignment with each other, forming a substantially circumferentiallycontinuous edge engageable with the lower end 14 of the upper collar 10.Similarly, the segments 27 of the lower slips have their lower edge 35in transverse alignment with each other, to provide a substantiallycircumferentially continuous lower end engageable with the upper edge 14of the lower collar 11. The wedging of the slips 26, 27 within the ring15 holds the latter outwardly of the casing section and substantiallycoaxial thereof, the dovetailed joints 18, 19 being pulled laterallyoutward but being prevented from inadvertent disconnection because ofthe interengagement between the interlocking wings or hooks 20, 21 onthe ring sections 16, 17.

Assuming that the casing string C is being moved downwardly in the wellbore, the lower slips 27 engage the lower collar 11, to force thecentralizer device through the well bore. The force necessary to performthis function is imposed upon the lower slips 27 and tends to shift themrelatively upward into the lock ring or sleeve 15 to a further extent,causing the lower slips 27 to be wedged still more firmly between thelock ring 15 and the casing section C, because of the tapered externalsurface 32 on the slips. Similarly, in the event that the casing sectionC is moved upwardly, the upper slips 26 will engage the upper collar 10of the centralizer, the force of such engagement necessary to move thecentralizer in an upward direction within the well bore tending to movethe upper slips 26 relatively downward within the lock ring 15, wedgingthe slips 26 more firmly in the latter and against the casing section C,because of the direction of taper of the outer surface 29 of the slips.It is, accordingly, apparent that the force transmitted between thecasing C and a centering device B tends to secure the stop device A morefirmly to the casing section, offering assurance that the stop devicewill be maintained in appropriate assembled relation and permanentlyfixed to the casing section C.

From a consideration of the structure of the stop de vice, it is evidentthat it is comparatively simple, and readily mountable on the casingsection C between the upper and lower centralizer collars 10, 11. Oncemounted on the casing section, it is permanently secured to the latter,since the force transmitted to the stop device A tends to tighten itmore securely against the casing.

The inventors claim:

1. In a stop device adapted to be mounted on a running-in string to belowered in a well bore: a split annular member adapted to be movedtransversely into position around the running-in string; means forlatching the adjoining end portions of the member together; andoppositely directed segmental slips extending partly into said member tobe wedged by said member into gripping engagement with the running-instring.

2. In a stop device adapted to be mounted on a running-in string to belowered in a Well bore: a split annular member adapted to be movedtransversely into position around the running-in string; means forlatching the adjoining end portions of the member together; andoppositely directed upper and lower segmental slips extending partlyinto said member and having internal teeth to grip the running-instring, said upper slips having an external surface engageable with saidmember and tapering downwardly and inwardly, said lower slips having anexternal surface engageable with said member and tapering upwardly andinwardly.

3. In a stop device adapted to be mounted on a running-in string to belowered in a well bore: an annular member composed of separate sectionsto be placed around the running-in string; means for latching theadjoining end portions of said sections to each other to form acomposite, substantially circumferentially continuous annular member;and oppositely directed upper and lower segmental slips extending partlyinto said sections and having internal teeth to grip the running-instring, said upper slips having an external surface engageable with saidsections and tapering downwardly and inwardly, said lower slips havingan external surface engageable with said sections and tapering upwardlyand inwardly.

4. In a stop device adapted to be mounted on a running-in string to belowered in a well bore: an annular member composed of separate sectionsto be placed around the running-in string; interlocking tongues andgrooves at the adjoining end portions of said sections for securing saidsections to each other to provide a composite, substantiallycircumferentially continuous annular member; and oppositely directedupper and lower annular slips extending partly into said sections andhaving internal teeth to grip the running-in string, said upper slipshaving an external surface engageable with said sections and taperingdownwardly and inwardly, said lower slips having an external surfaceengageable with said sections and tapering upwardly and inwardly.

5. In a stop device adapted to be mounted on a running-in string to belowered in a well bore: an annular member composed of separate sectionsto be placed around the running-in string; means for latching theadjoining end portions of said sections to each other, comprising adovetailed tongue on one section disposed within a companion dovetailedsocket in the adjoining sec tion; and oppositely directed upper andlower annular slips extending partly into said sections and havinginternal teeth to grip the running-in string, said upper slips having anexternal surface engageable with said sections and tapering downwardlyand inwardly, said lower slips having an external surface engageablewith said sections and tapering upwardly and inwardly.

6. In combination: a running-in string to be lowered in a well bore; anapparatus on said running-in string and movable longitudinally withrespect thereto; a split annular member adapted to be moved transverselyinto position around the running-in string; means for latching theadjoining end portions of the member together around the running-instring; and gripping means engaging the member and running-in string tosecure the member to the running-in string, said gripping meansextending longitudinally beyond the member and engageable by theapparatus, whereby to be urged by the apparatus longitudinally of themember and inwardly by the member to be more firmly engaged between andwith the running-in string and member.

7. In combination: a running-in string to be lowered in a well bore; anapparatus on said running-in string and movable longitudinally withrespect thereto; an annular member composed of separate sections to beplaced around the running-in string; means for latching the adjoiningend portions of said sections to each other to form a composite,substantially circumferentially continuous annular member; and grippingmeans engaging the sectionsiof the member and the running-in string tosecure the member to the running-in string, said gripping meansextending longitudinally beyond the sections and engageable by theapparatus, whereby to be urged by the apparatus longitudinally of thesections and inwardly by the sections to be more firmly engaged betweenand with the running-in string and sections.

8. In combination: a running-in string to be lowered in a well bore; anapparatus on said running-in string and movable longitudinally withrespect thereto; a split annular member adapted to be moved transverselyinto position around the running-in string; interlocking tongues andgrooves in the adjoining end portions of the member for securing suchend portions to each other; and gripping means engaging the member andrunning-in string to secure the member to the running-in string, saidgripping means extending longitudinally beyond the member and engageableby the apparatus, whereby to be urged by the apparatus longitudinally ofthe member and inwardly by the member to be more firmly engaged betweenand with the running-in string and member.

9. In combination: a running-in string to be lowered in a well bore; anapparatus on said running-in string and movable longitudinally withrespect thereto; an annular member composed of separate sections to bemoved transversely into position around the running-in string;interlocking tongues and grooves in the adjoining end portions of thesections for securing such end portions to each other to provide acomposite, substantially circumferentially continuous annular member;and gripping means engaging the sections of the member and running-instring to secure the member to the running-in string, said grippingmeans extending longitudinally beyond the member and engageable by theapparatus, whereby to be urged by the apparatus longitudinally of thesections and inwardly by the sections to be more firmly engaged betweenand with the running-in string and sections.

10. In combination: a running-in string to be lowered in a well bore; anapparatus on said running-in string and movable longitudinally withrespect thereto; a split annular member adapted to be moved transverselyinto position around the running-in string; means for latching theadjoining end portions of the member together around the running-instring; and slip means disposed within and engaging the member andhaving internal teeth engaging the running-in string to secure themember to the runningin string, said slip means extending longitudinallybeyond the member and adapted to engage the apparatus to be moved by theapparatus longitudinally of the member and inwardly by the member intogripping engagement with the running-in string.

11. In combination: a running-in string to be lowered in a well bore; anapparatus on said running-in string and movable longitudinally withrespect thereto; a split annular member adapted to be moved transverselyinto position around the running-in string; interlocking tongues andgrooves in the adjoining end portions of the member for securing suchend portions to each other; and slip means disposed within and engagingthe member and having teeth engaging the running-in string to secure themember to the running-in string, said slip means extendinglongitudinally beyond the member and adapted to engage the apparatus tobe urged by the apparatus longitudinally of the member and inwardly bythe member into gripping engagement with the running-in string.

12. In combination: a running-in string to be lowered in a well bore; anapparatus on said running-in string and movable longitudinally withrespect thereto; a split annular member adapted to be moved transverselyinto position around the running-in string; means for latching theadjoining end portions of the member together around the running-instring; and a coupling member engaging said annular member andrunning-in string to secure said annular member to said running-instring; one of said members being engageable by the apparatus, wherebyto be urged by the apparatus longitudinally of said other member to bemore firmly engaged between and with the running-in string and annularmember.

13. In combination: a running-in string to be lowered in a well bore; anapparatus on said running-in string and movable logitudinally withrespect thereto; a split annular member adapted to be moved transverselyinto position around the running-in string; means for latching theadjoining end portions of the member together around the running-instring; a slip member disposed within and engaging said annular memberand having teeth engaging said running-in string to secure saidannular-member to said running-in string, one of said members beingengageable with the apparatus to be moved by the apparatuslongitudinally of said other member to urge said slip member inwardlyinto gripping engagement with the running-in string.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS BakerJuly 8, 1952

